Joint Government-Private Delegation Promotes 'K-Defense' in Latin American Markets Including Mexico

The government and private defense companies have joined forces to promote 'K-Defense' sales in the Latin American region.

At the opening ceremony of the Mexico Aerospace Fair (FAMEX) held in Mexico on April 23, the joint public-private Latin America defense cooperation delegation is taking a commemorative photo with local officials. Ministry of Foreign Affairs

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 2, the joint public-private Latin America defense cooperation delegation visited Latin American countries including Mexico, Peru, Chile, and Colombia from April 21 to the previous day. During the trip, they participated in events such as the Mexico Aerospace Fair (FAMEX), the Peru Defense and Security Exhibition (SITDEF), and hosted a K-Defense briefing session. The delegation was composed of representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, as well as the Ministry of National Defense, Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), the Korea Defense Industry Association, and major defense companies. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that, during meetings with key defense officials in each country, the delegation expressed the government's commitment to support and cooperation at the national level and promoted the main weapon systems of leading Korean defense companies.

The delegation attended the opening ceremony of FAMEX, held in Mexico from April 21 to 23, and explained the strengths of Korea's defense industry and the government-to-government (G2G) export contract system at a K-Defense briefing session attended by Mexican military officials and foreign military attach?s in Mexico. In addition, at the Latin America Defense Export Council, Korean government officials discussed strategies to promote defense exports to Latin America with local counterparts.

Mexico, the second-largest economy and a major military power in Latin America based on GDP, is considered a promising partner for defense cooperation. It was the first visit by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration to Mexico in nine years since 2016. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "Through this delegation's visit, we expect to begin full-fledged discussions on the export of key weapon systems, focusing on the high local interest in small tactical vehicles (KLTV) and drones, as well as the need to modernize aging combat equipment."

Additionally, the delegation attended the opening ceremony of SITDEF in Peru from April 24 to 26. At the event, they explored the potential for exporting key weapon systems such as frigates and aircraft not only to Peru but also to other Latin American countries including Ecuador and Paraguay.

In particular, they met with senior officials in Peru's defense sector to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation. Peru is the largest partner for Korean defense exports in Latin America, having imported defense goods worth a total of 1.7 trillion won from Korea between 2012 and 2024. Last year, a Korean company signed a mid- to long-term strategic partnership with the Peruvian Army and Navy, securing priority negotiation rights for up to 15 years. Future export contracts for items such as tanks and submarines are anticipated.

Seo Jongkon, Commissioner of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, said, "We expect that the activities of this delegation will contribute to Korea's emergence as one of the world's top four defense exporters by diversifying our defense export markets, which have traditionally focused on Europe and the Middle East, to include Latin America."

Lee Juil, Director-General for Latin American and Caribbean Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said, "Since defense exports require a strategic approach that comprehensively considers political and economic relations, we will establish an organic cooperation system among government ministries and overseas missions, and actively pursue defense exports to Latin America as 'Korea One Team.'"